EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
It was a loss that left the United States soccer team seething with anger.
That's how the U.S. players felt yesterday following a 5-0 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.
The rout not only ended a 10-year period without a victory over the Americans on U.S. soil, but it gave the Mexicans a boost heading into an Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
And it shook up the Americans.
"Standing on the field there watching them accept their medals and the trophy is pretty well etched in my mind," said forward Brian Ching, a regular on the ‘A' team who played with this group after a hamstring injury sidelined him for last month's Confederations Cup. "I'm sure if you ask the other guys, they're ticked off."
They were. They also were realistic.
"This was a learning experience for so many of us," said midfielder Stuart Holden, one of the standouts on what some considered a junior-varsity U.S. squad. "It hurts to lose, especially like that. But we got to be around good players and ... that is something that will help me in the future."
The United States is second to Costa Rica in CONCACAF qualifying for 2010. Mexico is fourth and needs a home win to avoid winding up in a playoff against a South American team for a spot in South Africa.
A U.S. team has never won in Mexico.
"If you are an American and are not ticked off, something is wrong with you,'' Ching said. "It's an anger we can bring with us on Aug. 12."
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